﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿Lifestyles Tips﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿

﻿Lifestyles by Erica exists to help those who do not have a plan for organizing their lives and their space or the time to execute these plans. These practical tips offer quick solutions to everyday problems that the average person may be too overwhelmed to consider.﻿

​Are you exhausted? Do you need a break? Don't give up! Your breakthrough is right around the corner. You will never know how close you are to your goals unless you keep pushing. The more tired you feel the more impact you are making. Couch potatoes don't get tired because they are not doing anything. Exhaustion often equals effectiveness. That’s not to say you don't need rest, but maintain a balance. If you are resting more than creating how are you going to change lives? You owe it to yourself as well as others to give your best effort. No one ever won a race from the sidelines, so keep pushing. You can rest at the finish line.

Anyone who knows me knows I have like ten million jobs. Being a Mompreneur is a true labor of love. When you have several hats to wear and people small to large depending on you the last thing you need to be worried about are your clothing choices. When 5:30am comes it's enough just to wash up, put clothes on and get out the door. It's much easier to do this if you are already prepared. Many people will tell you to lay your clothes out the night before and that is very helpful. What they don't say is you will look at that outfit in the morning and change your mind, but you don't have another alternative right off hand, so what was the point?

The tip I give you today is prepare for as many days and weeks as you can. We all know the weather may change. Your work day may change, or you just don't feel like that outfit today. Wouldn't it be nice if you have say 10 other outfits already ironed and ready to choose from. Yes! It makes life awesome. Trust me as someone who has to get myself and a two-year-old ready and out the door at the crack of dawn every little bit helps. So help yourself. Try to have your clothes and your kid's clothes ready for as many days as you can. Pack your bags and snacks at night. Put them in the car if you have to. You can put anything refrigerated right in the front, so they will be the last things you grab on your way out the door. This way you're set. All you have to do is wash up, get dressed, and repeat with your kid(s). Grab kid(s) and refrigerated items and go. There have been plenty of days that this has saved my sanity. Again I am a faux morning person. I will hit the snooze button as much as I possibly can. Being extra prepared makes life and early mornings a little easier.

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If this helps you leave me a comment or connect with me on social media. Be blessed.

Don't exhibit behavior contrary to who you want to be. Who you are is who you are, but you can always reinvent yourself. If you're not a morning person, but your dream job starts at 8:00am you have a choice to make. You can get up and make this dream a reality, or you can keep sleeping. Sleeping may be comfortable in the moment, but it's contrary to your reality long term. Such sacrifice is the necessary difference between a dream deferred and a dream realized.

Handle difficult people by not being one. Acting in a retaliatory manner makes them feel the behavior is justified. More often a person who is angry or frustrated will explode on someone who has nothing to do with why he or she is really upset. Instead of dealing with the real issue so it can be solved a difficult person will go around being mean and playing victim. Fight difficulty with the golden rule. Treat others the way you want to be treated. When that doesn’t work eliminate them from your space. You can’t always totally eliminate a person, because he or she may be a coworker or customer and you can’t quit your job over foolishness; so be the bigger person. Carrying around negative feelings leads to misplaced emotion which leads to stress and either a cluttered mind or a cluttered space. Don’t let a difficult person cause you to live in cluttered feelings or a cluttered home. Move on! LifebyErica

Are you detail oriented? Well you should be! Becoming organized is all about the details. Paying attention to the small details can help you to remain organized at all times. For example, if you don't know where to place items start with where they are used. Obviously dishes are used in the kitchen or the dining room, so why store them anywhere else? Toilet paper is used in the bathroom, so why store it anywhere else? Why are your work documents in the same folder as your family pictures; they shouldn't be. Keeping these minor details in mind can help to simplify and declutter your life. If you need help book an appointment today! LifebyErica

"Make a List" was a previous "Lifestyles Tip", however taking care of yourself is a priority that cannot be left off the list. Often people find that going so many miles per hour accomplishes things at lighting speed, but leaves an empty feeling. Focus on making your personal care an accomplishment. When it comes down to it if completing all your tasks and goals does not make you happy or content it has no value. Real value in life comes from the sense of contentment you garner from whatever is the most important to you. Make sure that "You" are on the "to take care of today" list. Tasks come and go, but there is only one "You".

When there are too many tasks to accomplish and you have no clue where to start make a list. A To-do list can be overwhelming and daunting without direction. Don't make a To-do list make a Can-do list. Make a master list of everything you feel you need to get done regardless of when. Once your master list is complete break it down into smaller increments. Base the increments on importance, deadline, and timeline for completion. You will be surprised as you start completing tasks how much better you'll feel. Don't fret! Make a list. Take time to create a work list of tasks that you can complete in increments. Completing the entire list may not be reasonable, but how about one task? One task at a time and eventually your Can-do list is done! LifebyErica

Everyone has some task, project, or errand to accomplish that always seems unattainable. Don't fret! Schedule it. Closing the door to your cluttered office does not replace a plan to organize. Take time to create a work plan that you can complete in five minute increments. If five minutes is all you have make those five minutes count. Clearing out the entire closet may not be reasonable, but how about one ﻿﻿﻿shelf﻿﻿﻿? You can do it! ﻿﻿ LifebyErica﻿﻿

Author

Erica T. AckerMBA(M) University of Phoenix, B.H.S. Armstrong Atlantic State University, 10+ years Management Professional, Christian, Wife to Avery, Mother of Elise and Ella, Lover of shoes, colors, and making sense out of disorganization